Great Charity Challenge
2026 Great Charity Challenge
Our Goal: To distribute an additional $2 million in one evening.
Now entering its 17th year, this high-energy event has become a celebrated tradition that blends world-class equestrian sport with purposeful giving. Thanks to the incredible generosity of sponsors, donors and participants, the GCC has distributed an impressive $24 million to 370 local nonprofit organizations. These funds directly benefit individuals and families in need throughout Palm Beach County.
Join the 2026 Edition
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind celebration of creativity, community, and charitable giving.
With the objective to raise and distribute an additional $2+ million in one evening, Wellington International will host Rhyme Without Reason on Saturday, January 31, 2026. This unforgettable evening fuses equestrian sport with imagination and impact.
This whimsical charity competition will feature over 30 costumed teams representing local nonprofits in a themed relay, where the only rules are that the jumps stay up and the costumes rhyme. At stake? A chance for the winners to present $100,000 to their randomly paired organization.
Thanks to the generous support of Wellington International for covering ALL costs associated with the event, 100% of the donations received are redistributed to Palm Beach County non-profit organizations.
Introducing the selected non-profits
The Great Charity Challenge sponsored by Fidelity Investments® (GCC) is proud to announce the first thirty (30) Palm Beach County non-profits selected for the 17th annual event, returning to Wellington International on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Selected organizations will have the chance to receive up to $100,000 in grant funding during the 2026 event. An additional four main drawings as well as ten grants were randomly selected on Wednesday, December 17. Random smaller grants will be distributed throughout the early weeks of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival.
Support the Great Charity Challenge
Make a Donation Online
For donations of $5,000 or less, we invite you to make a 100% tax-deductible contribution online.
Donate NowBecome a Donor or Sponsor
Donors and sponsors help distribute over $2 million in a single night, ensuring every dollar creates impact.
Become a SponsorWant to Join as a Team or Rider?
A team sponsorship represents a $27,500 donation, which can be fulfilled by a single sponsor or as a group effort, shared among riders, trainers, and supporting sponsors. Riders often collaborate with friends, barnmates, or patrons to form their teams, making the experience both fun and community-driven. Click here to join us!
For additional information and ways to get involved, please contact Anne Caroline Valtin, Executive Director, at 727-678-8677 or [email protected]
Additional Ways to Join this Community Effort as a Nonprofit
The first 30 non-profit organizations to participate in the 17th annual GCC were randomly selected on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. We anticipate to add an additional 4 or 5 organizations that will participate in the event as well as a dozen grants that will be drawn leading up to Saturday, January 31, 2026.
We also invite all non-profit organizations to save the date for this year’s Volunteer Initiative.
Launched in 2021, the Volunteer Initiative was created by the Dennis M. and Lois A. Doyle Family Foundation to celebrate and support the incredible volunteers who give their time and talents throughout Palm Beach County.
Now entering its 6th year, this meaningful program is proudly supported by Dana Murphy, Keller Williams Wellington, in partnership with the Great Charity Challenge sponsored by Fidelity Investments® (GCC).
Together, they continue to empower volunteers and highlight the vital role they play in strengthening our community.
A $20,000 donation from Dana Murphy, Keller Williams Wellington, and additional funding from the GCC create a significant opportunity for up to 20 organizations to receive $4,000 grants each. This kind of financial support can have a substantial impact, enabling these local non-profit organizations to further their missions and enhance their programs.
The objective of the initiative is to promote a sense of community and encourage even more people to get involved.
Guidelines on how to participate:
Do you volunteer for a Palm Beach County non-profit that is creating a big impact? We want to hear from you!
Tag us on a Facebook or Instagram post or reel (NOT STORY) in a 1-minute video (max) between January 1 and January 6, 2026, explaining why you are involved with the organization as well as the charity’s mission! Don’t be afraid to make these fun and share some energy! The better the post, the more chances of it catching people’s attention (and therefore raising the visibility for your organization).
2026 GCC Event FAQ
Find the answers to our most commonly asked questions.
Admission to our horse shows and events is free and no tickets are required. We hope you’ll bring the whole family or a car full of friends!
Free off-site parking is available at the Equestrian Village facility across the street at 13500 South Shore Blvd., Wellington, with a free shuttle to Wellington International (will start running at 5 PM).
On Site parking at 3400 Equestrian Club Rd., Wellington, is a $25 charge per car-load. Please note that handicap parking is offered at no charge at 3400 Equestrian Club Rd.
While our gates “officially” open at 6 PM, please note that as this is our busiest night of season, we highly encourage you to get here early! You can walk around the Showgrounds leading up to the start of the activities. Shuttles will officially start running at 5 PM for the general public.
The event has typically ended between 8:45 and 9:00 PM.
Horse shows at Wellington International are casual outdoor events. We recommend sensible walking shoes so that you are comfortable while exploring the showgrounds as well as dressing for the weather as we are an outdoor venue.
If you are a participating charity, we encourage you to wear charity branded items so that we know who you are there representing!
If you are joining us in the VIP, the suggested attire is smart casual.
If you’ve never been to a horse show before, we recommend visiting our Horse Show 101 guide to learn about some sights, competition and fun you’ll experience at Wellington International!
All of our events are rain or shine —some of the most exciting jumping competition is in the rain! We only cancel or postpone a competition if the weather is severe to the point of risking anyone’s safety. We will post updates on our social media pages and our website if there are last-minute cancellations, postponements, or other changes.
Bring the whole family! Kids will enjoy walking the grounds and seeing amazing costumes (both on the riders and horses!). Wellington International is the perfect place to begin your love affair with the equestrian sport! Our Family Festival features activities such as face painting, circus performers, dance contests, t-shirt tosses, petting zoos, free rides on the Venetian carousel and lively music!
Yes! The Wellington Club and Gallery are both open to the public that evening.
We invite you to walk up to Wellington International’s iconic Bridge by following the path up through the spectator entrance and around the ring (hang a right at the fountain). This year’s Art Project, illustrated by Wellington public schools in partnership with Resource Depot, “Rhyme Without Reason: Surreal Visions”, will further emphasize this year’s GCC theme, capturing the heart of what the event is all about: creating impact through unique and unexpected pairings.
Come hungry! Our food vendors are open and boast a diverse range of affordable dining options. Please note that no outside food or beverages are allowed on site.
Please note that very limited VIP dining options are available for the evening.
– the VIP International Club is reserved for riders, donors and sponsors of the event. Please contact Anne Caroline Valtin directly at 727-678-8677 or [email protected] for further information.
– New this year: the Blue Ribbon Club will offer table sales for the evening. Please click here to view options.
The “Order of Go” will be set and available the night before! We will be sharing this via social media and will also upload the link here. This will tell you exactly the order of the charities joining us, along with the theme and corporate sponsors!
All pre-selected non-profit organizations will have reserved and appointed seating in the “Box Seats”, situated alongside the wall of the Bridge. Please note that the number indicated in the “Order of Go” for a specific participating organization is ALSO their box seat number.
We aim to raise and distribute over $2 million in association with the 17th Annual Great Charity Challenge sponsored by Fidelity Investments®! All additional grants and initiatives associated with the event will be done prior to the evening of Saturday, January 31, 2026. In the event of excess funding received that evening and leading up to the event, additional grants will be awarded the week following the GCC (benefitting organizations will be notified via email and tagged on social media).
Thanks to Wellington International’s support, the GCC is able to operate at ZERO costs to the donors. This means that 100% of donations received go straight back to work in the community. For additional information, we invite you to click here.
The event will be live-streamed at no cost via www.wellingtoninternational.com/live
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